A Tale of Magic and Mischief: Larry Spicewood

Chapter 14: Secrets in the Shadows

Approaching the Building

You carefully make your way across the alley, keeping to the shadows and moving as silently as possible. The building looks old and worn, with faded paint and cracked stonework, but there's something about it that suggests it's still in use, if only by those who prefer to remain unseen.

As you reach the window, you notice that it's slightly ajar, just enough to peek inside. You position yourself carefully, making sure you're not visible to anyone who might be inside. With your heart pounding, you slowly edge closer and take a look.

Peering Inside

The room beyond the window is dimly lit by a single, flickering candle on a small, cluttered table. The space is cramped and filled with various odds and ends—old books, crumpled papers, and what looks like a collection of odd trinkets. There's a faint smell of dust and something metallic, like old coins or rusted metal.

Your eyes are drawn to the figure sitting at the table, partially obscured by shadows. It's a young woman, perhaps in her late teens or early twenties, with short, dark hair and sharp, intelligent eyes that are focused intently on a piece of parchment in front of her. She's wearing simple, practical clothes—dark trousers, a fitted jacket, and sturdy boots—that suggest she's used to moving quickly and quietly.

She doesn't seem to notice you, as her attention is entirely on the parchment she's studying. You catch a glimpse of what looks like a map, similar to the one you found earlier, with more detailed markings and notes scrawled in the margins. She mutters to herself occasionally, seemingly frustrated or deep in thought.

Observing the Scene

You take in the details of the room and the woman, noting anything that might be useful:

The Map: The map she's studying appears to be a more complete version of the fragment you found in the alley. It shows a layout of the market, with certain areas marked with Xs and small notes—likely indicating points of interest or meeting spots. There's also a sketch of a building that looks like it might be a safe house or hideout. The Trinkets: Scattered across the table and shelves are various trinkets and small items—some of which seem to be magical in nature. You notice a small, ornate box with a serpent motif, similar to the symbol you saw earlier, as well as a few vials of what might be potions or elixirs. Her Demeanor: The young woman seems tense, her body language suggesting she's under pressure or possibly in over her head. She's clearly trying to make sense of something, and whatever it is, it's important. The fact that she's studying the map so closely implies she's either planning something or trying to figure out someone else's plan. The Room's State: The room is cluttered, but it's a controlled chaos. Everything seems to have a purpose, even if it's not immediately clear to you. The scattered papers and trinkets suggest someone who's been here for a while, working on something detailed and possibly dangerous.

Deciding Your Next Move

You could try to approach the young woman directly, though there's always a risk in revealing yourself to someone who might be involved in the Heartstone's pursuit. On the other hand, she might be a valuable source of information—either as an ally or someone to keep an eye on.

You decide to take a calculated risk to see how the young woman reacts to the map fragment you found. Carefully, you pull out the piece of parchment you discovered in the alley and crumple it into a ball. With one quick, silent motion, you toss it through the open window, aiming to land it close enough to catch her attention.

As soon as the parchment is airborne, you quickly scurry back to a shadowed spot just outside the window, positioning yourself where you can hear her reaction without being seen.